10 Ways to Soothe a Sunburn

10 Ways to Soothe a Child's Sunburn

So you slathered on sunblock, but somehow, someone in your family still baked like a lobster? Try these 10 great remedies for soothing a sunburn, all recommended by our readers. Many of them require only ingredients you already have somewhere in your home.

2. Vinegar

Vinegar for sunburn? Absolutely! Numerous readers recommend applying a vinegar-soaked cloth (often apple-cider vinegar) to sunburned skin to ease the heat and sting. As Jodi K. shares: "I swear by vinegar! I know it sounds nasty and painful, but every time I've gotten a sunburn, I dab on white vinegar with a washcloth. It takes the sting off the burn — the heat of the burn — right out of your skin! It will also keep you from blistering or peeling if you haven't already. Seriously, give it a try!"

3. Oatmeal

Oatmeal is an easy at-home remedy for sunburn, as Cara S. shares: "When my husband had a really bad sunburn, I sponged him down with a washcloth filled with oatmeal. The oatmeal soothed the pain and stopped the itch." Rori C. adds, "If you have any Aveeno Oatmeal Bath packets on hand, those are great."

4. Vitamin E

"You might want to try some vitamin E," recommends Jessica K., one of several moms who advised that vitamin E in various forms can aid your skin's healing process. Either pop open a vitamin E gelcap and apply it to the area, or find a cream with vitamin E at the drugstore.

5. Baking Soda

6. Yogurt

Who knew that your favorite cheap snack could double as a sunburn soother? Elaine E. explains: "Plaster it on, and let it dry, and then wash off with warm water. The yogurt draws the heat of the burn. It does work, and it's cheaper than lotions."

7. Noxema

"I found Noxzema works the best for sunburns," says Iris H., one of many moms who recommend this trusty face cream for sunburn relief. "Just put it on, and let it dry, wash it off, and do it again," advises Ashleigh L. "It saved me from second-degree sunburn when nothing else would."

8. Cornstarch

Cornstarch is yet another sunburn remedy you probably have right in your cupboard. "Cornstarch feels great on sunburned skin," shares Jenna B. "It dries the moisture [and also] cools it and soothes it."

Thanks for the share, very informative and a Natural alternative to commercial chemicals. Living in Florida the Sun shines 24-7..so I always have a spray bottle with Apple Cider Vinegar and water handy . It works NOT only for helping prevent/soothe sunburn, BUT also repels bugs. Apple Vinegar is also great for exfoliating dry skin...then apply coconut oil..which you can find in the grocery aisle ( cooking or Hispanic section ) .

Well I might sound like a wuss but I NEVER allowed my children out in after-storm cloudy days, those are the worst sun's rays (I laid out in that kind of hazy sun once as a teen and got the worst burn of my life) and between the hours of 10 & 2. Hats on the little kids at all times and tee-shirts on the pale skinned! Melanoma starts at a young age. I do NOT agree with that child being allowed to stay out that long without a tee-shirt!

35 weeks

My favorite way to prevent sunburn pain is to also reduce the possibility of melanoma in future life by preventing sunburns. Reducing pain is important. Living without melanoma is even more important.

My mother used to use vinegar on me as a child when I had sunburn.... It hurts !! Even now I see it as a form of deliberate harm to inflict pain when there are other remedies that do not hurt... DO NOT INFLICT THIS PAIN ON CHILDREN... We live in the 21st Century and the easy answer is to PROTECT your children before they go into the sun so they do not get burned....